More than half of Britons are choosing to stay at home for their summer holidays, according to a survey conducted by Laterooms.com.

The survey of more than 1,800 British holidaymakers adds weight to claims that the credit crunch, the strength of the euro and environmental concerns are encouraging travellers to take holidays at home.

This week, the domestic operator Pontin's reported that bookings were up by 10 per cent on last year, while Lastminute.com said that the number of Britons holidaying at home was up by 16 per cent on last year.

The survey found that the most popular British resorts were Torquay, St Ives, Bournemouth and Weymouth. Nostalgia was also cited as a key reason for visiting coastal towns this summer, with many opting to return to resorts they visited as children. Two thirds of those surveyed said that the ability to book at the last minute, without having to worry about passports, flights or jabs, was also a factor.

The figures counter reports that the recent poor weather would encourage more people to head to the Continent this summer. Last week the Met Office offered a gloomy outlook for the remainder of the summer, forecasting more rain and no heatwaves for July and August.

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"Although we may not be able to guarantee the sunshine, our coastal destinations and holiday experiences are now so varied that, whatever the weather, there's something to enjoy," said Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain.

Travelodge this week announced plans to open 55 new hotels in coastal towns by 2015. Travelodges are opening this year at Blackpool, Bournemouth, Newquay, Scarborough and Weymouth.

"Soaring air fares, an overpowering euro and the credit crunch are changing holiday habits this summer, and maybe for good," said Grant Hearn, chief executive of Travelodge.